Consultant (Medical Doctor)

Job Description

The AVRR project RI.VOL.A.RE. in RE.TE has the objective to ensure that migrants living in Italy, including migrants with health concerns, are enabled to return to their countries of origin safely and in dignity and to achieve sustainable reintegration within their communities. To this end, migrants assisted under the project are screened for vulnerabilities and health needs. In particular with reference to this latter category of migrants there are a number of considerations that must be taken into account when offering return assistance to migrants with health-related needs, such as:

• The nature of the pre-existing health conditions of the migrant;
• The ability of the migrant to make a competent decision on the return;
• The safety of return, that is, whether the return travel would exacerbate the migrant’s health condition and/or whether the migrant’s health condition would deteriorate upon arrival as a direct result of the return;
• Any measures that would need to be put in place to ensure adequate travel assistance (e.g. wheelchairs, medication, medical escorts) from the point of departure to the final destination in the country of origin;
• The availability and accessibility of appropriate post-arrival health assistance for the migrant in the country of origin.

1. RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Nature of Consultancy

Category A Consultancy

Under the general supervision of the Director, Coordination Office for the Mediterranean and Chief of Mission in Italy and Malta, the coordination of the Head of the Migration Management Unit (MMU) and the direct supervision of the Project Manager and Medical Focal Point, the incumbent will deliver services for pre-departure health assessments and pre embarkation fitness-to-travel checks for all returnees assisted under the AVRR project RI.VOL.A.RE. in RE.TE.

In particular, the Consultants will:

• Review the AVRR migrant’s medical history including available medical records and prescription medications;
• Liaise with the Italian physician/hospital facility treating the migrant in Italy in order to gather additional information ‐‐if needed‐‐ on the health condition of the returnee;
• Conduct physical examination and recommend additional investigations if necessary for establishing fitness to travel;
• Closely assess feasibility of return in close coordination with the IOM Italy Medical Focal Point, the Regional HAP Coordinators and the MHD Focal Points in the IOM origin country;
• Provide medical reports indicating if the migrant is fit‐to‐travel and if the migrants is not, recommend stabilization measures;
• In coordination with the IOM Rome’s Movement, familiarize with the migrant’s travel itinerary and if need be, request change of routing/transit according to the medical conditions and requirements;
• When applicable, fill out airline medical forms (MEDA or MEDIF);
• If special travel arrangements are needed, indicate the need of a medical escort (doctor or a nurse), a non‐medical escort/family escort and/or the need of a wheelchair, additional seats, stretcher, oxygen, diapers/catheters/others;
• For returnees with significant medical conditions Obtain travel clearance from the MHD AVRR focal point;
• Liaise with the medical escorts, discuss management plan during the travel, receive and review their reports. Conduct periodic training for the medical escorts;
• Perform medical escort service when needed;
• Properly collect data and update the Global System, according to IOM existing protocols.

Implementation Period

1 August 2024 – 30 June 2025 (TBC)

1. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with professional legal qualification.

Professional experience and other requirements:

• At least 3 years’ experience in the emergency medicine/general medicine/migration medicine;
• At least 3 years of experience providing direct assistance to migrants and/or other vulnerable groups;
• Experience working with or in developing countries;
• Experience working in a multicultural team;
• Intercultural competence and communication skills;
• Personal commitment, efficiency, organizational skills and drive for results;
• Strong organizational, communication and time management skills;
• Available to work flexible hours;
• Effectively coordinates actions with other implementing partners;
• Understanding of in‐flight physiology or formal training in aviation medicine is a significant advantage.

1. LANGUAGES

• Fluency in written and spoken Italian and English is required;
• Knowledge of French is considered an asset.

1. COMPETENCIES

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.